Birds & Blooms

While at a wedding reception in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a year and a half ago, I noticed something hovering around the floral centerpiece at our table. I nudged my husband and excitedly exclaimed, “Look! A hummingbird moth!” As we watched it closely and took poor-quality cellphone photos on the dimly lit covered porch, I noticed a resort staff member was also watching the moth, clearly ready to swoop in and shoo it away. We laughed because the staffer was probably not used to two people more focused on a flying insect than on the bride and groom. I imagine not all guests are as welcoming of a large strange flier as we were. It was the second time my husband had seen a hummingbird moth—the first was a clearwing type several…

Crocosmia Crocosmia spp., Zones 5 to 9 Equally low maintenance and visually stunning, crocosmia, which is sometimes called montbretia or coppertips, is a hummingbird favorite with a mild saffron scent. Even when not in bloom, its swordlike foliage is striking. If adding crocosmia to your garden, plant corms 3 to 5 inches deep. Attracts: Light needs: Full sun. Size: 1 to 4 feet high and up to 3 feet wide. Uses: Thriller in a pot or as a showstopping border plant. Flowers: Orange, yellow and red trumpet-shaped blooms, appearing mid-to late-summer. Care tip: Divide crocosmia every two to three years to prevent overcrowding.…

With a range from southern Mexico to British Columbia, black-chinned hummingbirds are commonly seen, yet often overlooked in favor of flashier western species. Long-Distance Travelers “Black-chinneds have the second broadest breeding distribution, following the ruby-throated hummingbirds, and occupy a variety of mostly inland habitats including dry scrub, riparian and oak woodlands, and suburban areas where they regularly visit gardens and feeders across their breeding range,” says Jason Fidorra, district wildlife biologist for Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. “In the summer they breed primarily in the U.S. from the Rockies and westward, plus western Texas and Oklahoma,” Jason says. “They’re a known and important species to many gardeners, despite their fairly subtle appearance for a hummingbird.” Field Marks Black-chinneds are closely related to the ruby-throated hummingbirds of the East, and ranges of the two meet…

1 Rhododendron RHODODENDRON SPP., ZONES 4 TO 10 Choose from hundreds of species in this flowering shrub’s family. Some types, such as Catawba rhododendron, are noted for being more attractive to hummingbirds than others. Plant wherever they will receive dappled sunlight to partial shade. Too much shade results in fewer flowers. Growing in moist, well-draining, acidic soil is also vital. Why we love it: The large clusters of brightly colored, bell-shaped flowers on some cultivars are also quite fragrant. 2 Rose of Sharon HIBISCUS SYRIACUS, ZONES 5 TO 9 A stately shrub that reaches 8 to 12 feet tall, this hardy hibiscus is adaptable to various soils but does best in moist yet well-draining soil. Cut back faded blooms to prevent seed formation, or grow hybrids that don’t produce viable seeds. It also makes an attractive…

Once you’ve enjoyed your morning brew, consider putting the coffee grounds to work in your garden. These four ideas for recycling coffee grounds keep a valuable resource out of the landfill—and your precious plants will reap the benefits. Compost Dump the daily discards—both the paper filter and the grounds—right into your compost pile, but be sure they’re cooled off. The microorganisms in the compost will help turn them into a rich soil amendment. Moderation is important when composting coffee grounds. Your pile should contain no more than 20% grounds in the overall volume. Once decomposed, the coffee-rich compost is ready for use in your gardens and containers. Mulch Cooled fresh coffee grounds can be used as a mulch too. Spread a layer ½ inch or thinner over the soil surface. The grounds’ fine texture…

The hardy hibiscus is native to much of the United States. In the summer months, the blooms provide nectar to hummingbirds, in this case a ruby-throated hummingbird. Jennifer Sigmon OGDENSBURG, NY This was the first Anna’s hummingbird nest that I photographed. I was walking on a boardwalk and decided to take a side trail, where I discovered the nest on a holly branch. It was exciting to watch these two grow and fledge. The mother hummingbird eventually had to tear the nest apart to encourage her young onto the branch. Soo Baus SEATTLE, WA Here in Montana, we live for these special moments after the long winters. I was so happy to capture a photo of a hummingbird, my favorite bird, with delphiniums, my favorite flowers. Mark Lawson COLUMBIA FALLS, MT I waited patiently for at…